trip by rental car Summer
Miyazaki Airport
Miyazaki Airport offers a wide range of services to arriving visitors. The Information Center is located on the first floor in the Domestic Arrival lobby. From here, you can request pick-up service from one of several nearby rental car companies. Rental cars can be booked in advance or on that day at the Information Center. Furthermore, Miyazaki Airport offers internet service and phone charging, plus “hands-free” sightseeing services which allow you to enjoy sightseeing without worrying about your luggage. Please feel free to use these services.
AOSHIMA BEACH PARK
Aoshima Beach Park, open from late April to early autumn, provides a relaxing beach life atmosphere for all. Food stands and shops built out of shipping containers overlook the beach. Miyazaki is one of the best surfing spots in the world, attracting many surfers and tourists throughout the year. Steps away from the outdoor seating,“Nagisa no Koban” offers a free changing room, coin-operated lockers and showers, as well as marine sport experiences for visitors to enjoy.
The container restaurants at Aoshima Beach Park may change from year to year, but they always offer diverse, international flavors.
Lunch at Aoshima
There are several lunch places, including restaurants and coffee shops, in the area from Aoshima station to Aoshima Beach Park. At the Aoshima Port, you can visit the restaurant “Minato Aoshima” which is run by the Fishing Cooperative and enjoy fresh, local seafood. (Regularly closed on Mondays unless Monday is a national holiday, then closed the next day)
Nichinan coast
The Nichinan coast is a popular scenic drive in Miyazaki. You can enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the sparkling ocean, deep blue sky, blooming southern flowers along the road, and “Phoenix” palm trees swaying in the wind.
Roadside Station “Phoenix”
This roadside station is located about 1 km away from “Horikiri Toge” (Horikiri Pass), entrance to the Nichinan coast and it’s the best spot to view the unique, wave-like coastal rock formation known as the “Devil’s washboard.” Beautiful, seasonal flowers bloom throughout the year and you can also enjoy a snack like soft serve ice cream. This station is a wonderful spot for a photo.
“Onino sentakuiwa” has been translated as the Devil’s Washboard or the Ogre’s Washboard. Whose washboard do you see?
Sun Messe Nichinan
A theme park in Nichinan City where you can view the Nichinan coastline.
Sun Messe Nichinan has seven replicas of the large Moai statues of the Easter Islands. Each statue has a height of 5.5 m and a weight of 18 tons. These were made with special permission from the Easter Island Elders’ Association.
It’s an amazing sightseeing spot where you can spend the day admiring the beautiful panorama view of the coastline from sunrise to sunset. There are also dining facilities.
Udo Shrine
The contrast of the brightly-painted red shrine and the blue ocean is a stunning sight to behold at Udo Shrine. The gods enshrined here are the gods for childbirth, childcare, matchmaking for couples, and safety at sea. The “Ochichi-iwa” located behind the main shrine, where Toyotama-hime (daughter of the god of the sea) is said to have stuck both of her breasts onto a rock wall, is a notable feature. Your wish is said to come true if you are able to throw a small clay ball called “undama” into a small pool located on a rock below the cliff in front of the main shrine. Men must throw their undama with their left hand, women with their right hand.
The expansive grounds of Obi Castle
For 280 years, from 1588 to the early years of the Meiji era, Obi was a prosperous castle town of Itoushi of the Obi Clan. Obi town still maintains the old castle town atmosphere, with many houses of old samurai lords lining the ancient streets. It feels like you have walked through time, back to the era of the samurai. The town area was designated as an Important Preservation District of Historical Buildings by the Japanese government in 1977.
Roadside Station Nango
This roadside station exudes a tropical atmosphere and showcases the incredible scenery of the Miyazaki coast. Located along National Route 448, the panoramic ocean view is so superb that you will want to come back again. The restaurant in this station has seasonal dishes, the souvenir shop offers up several products like local seafood, fruits, and crafts. Everybody regardless of age or gender can enjoy relaxing and eating.
According to Trip Advisor 2017, Roadside Station Nango is the top rated roadside station in all of Japan !
Jacaranda no Mori
This is the only place in Japan where you can see more than 1,000 jacarandas, said to be one of the three most important flowering trees in the world, growing in clusters. You can see fantastic jacaranda flowers, which look like purple clouds rising up, blooming against the blue sea from May to June. The “Jacaranda Festival” is held around June, when the trees are in full bloom, and attracts many visitors. At night, the jacarandas are lit up, giving them a mysterious beauty that is different from that of the daytime.
After enjoying the cherry blossoms in spring, please come and see the “purple cherry” jacaranda.
Translated by Talbot Cullen/ Mai